Adidas part ways with Kanye “Ye” West’s Yeezy line
The German sportswear giant, which has distributed the line, is the latest company to end its ties with the artist after offensive and controversial interviews.
Due to the rapper’s antisemitic remarks and conspiracy theories, German sportswear firm Adidas has ceased doing business with Kanye “Ye” West.
Adidas had previously stated that it was “under review” of its distribution agreement for Ye’s Yeezy line following a number of inflammatory and contentious interviews. Adidas stated on Tuesday that it “does not allow antisemitism or any other form of hate speech. Ye has recently made remarks and taken acts that are undesirable, dangerous, and against the company’s principles of inclusiveness, respect, and fairness.
In a since-removed Oct. 8 tweet, Kanye wrote that he was “going death con 3 on Jewish people,” adding that “you guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Many people stepped out in response to Kanye’s statement to denounce the artist, with Jamie Lee Curtis tweeting, “The holiest day in Judaism was last week. Words matter. A threat to Jewish people ended once in a genocide. Your words hurt and incite violence. You are a father. Please stop.”
In an interview conducted after the controversial tweet, Kanye told Piers Morgan that he was sorry for the people that he hurt, but he didn’t regret making the remark.
The business “has taken the decision to immediately terminate the agreement with Ye, discontinue manufacture of Yeezy branded products, and suspend all payments to Ye and his enterprises,” it continued. Adidas will immediately discontinue operating its Adidas Yeezy business.
It also provided some business information regarding the choice. The high seasonality of the fourth quarter is “anticipated to have a short-term negative impact on the business’s net income of up to €250 million ($246 million) in 2022,” the company stated. “Adidas is the exclusive owner of all design rights to the partnership’s products, including past and future colorways.”
Within the past month, CAA ceased representing the rapper and fashion mogul, a source said. The Century City-based talent agency had worked with him, but his espousing antisemitic rhetoric in several recent interviews has proved indefensible to some business partners. With CAA ending its run with West, Hollywood’s major talent agencies — including WME and UTA — have supported calls to end a working relationship with him.
Also on Monday, the film and TV studio MRC announced that in light of West’s remarks, it was shelving a finished documentary about him. CEOs Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu, along with COO Scott Tenley, wrote in an open letter, “This morning, after a conversation with our filmmakers and distribution partners, we took the decision not to proceed with any distribution for our recently finished documentary about Kanye West. We are unable to promote any material that expands his platform.